So MIGS doesn't claim to award degrees?

http://www.degree.com/comparing.htm


Comparing and Understanding Doctoral Programs

Comparison of Three Distance Doctoral Program Models:
Coursework-Based, Competency-Based and Research-Based

Overview

When selecting an institution of higher learning for your doctoral studies, you should understand the program's structure, methods, expectations of the student, and what you should expect from the institution. There are three basic models for doctoral programs around the world (and many variations on these). They are coursework- , competency- and research-based models. Because the Monterrey Institute for Graduate Studies attracts learners from around the globe, we offer this comparison of the three systems as a guide in selecting the best system for you, and so you may compare our Competency-based model with other systems you might be familiar with.

The three main models for doctoral education described in the comparison below are Coursework-based, Competency-based and Research-based. While any of these may result in the award of the Doctor of Philosophy (or other doctoral degree), they have significant differences.

The Coursework-based model is comprised of a series of courses beyond the bachelor's and master's degree, followed by a comprehensive examination and completion a dissertation.

The Competency-based model is similar to the Coursework-based model, but learner/faculty-designed competencies--where the learner and faculty together establish what is to be learned, how it is to be learned, and how competency is to be measured/demonstrated--are substituted for traditional coursework. This model has a great deal of flexibility, and can be designed around the student's previous academics, work experience, and learning goals.

The Research-based model places great emphasis on the dissertation, which is typically longer and more comprehensive than one produced from the other two models. The student is typically apprenticed to a faculty member for several years, conducting a variety of research projects leading up to the dissertation. Coursework may be required to improve the student's knowledge in one or more areas, but this is determined on a case-by-case basis. This model is oriented primarily towards an academic career.

Finally, there are many more examples of each model. Almost any U.K. school would fit the research model, while almost any U.S. school would fit the coursework model. Most distance programs fit the competency model because it lends itself to independent study.

Institution Examples

Coursework: Touro University International (U.S.), Capella University (U.S.) and Intermational Management Centres (U.K.) Also, most residential doctoral programs in the U.S. use this model.

Competency: Walden University, The Union Institute, Monterrey Institute for Graduate Studies and The Fielding Institute. This model is most prevalent in distance programs in North America.

Research: De Monfort University (U.K.), University of New England (Australia) and the University of South Africa. This model is ususally found in distance programs offered by universities in the United Kingdom and other British Commonwealth countries.

Okay, besides the spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes which appear in this text (copied verbatim) and which flourish on the DEGREE.COM website, does anyone else see a problem here pertaining to Rich's (and therefore MIGS's) new claim that MIGS doesn't claim to award degrees? (Hint: I've bolded some text.)

 

Well, I would think that MIGS could have it both ways. They could claim to award their own degrees early in their history, until they got called on it. Even then, it was still early on enough to claim that no one had yet graduated, so they could backtrack and claim that the degrees were actually awarded by CEU. However, since no one has yet graduated (as far as I know) from either MIGS or a CEU doctoral program, we have yet to see this drama play itself out to its final scene. Stay tuned.

Bruce

 

There's nothing in there that says MIGS awards the degrees. MIGS uses one of the models, which results in the award of the degree. This is precisely correct. MIGS does the instruction, CEU awards the degree. As usual, this poster has too much time on his/her hands, and continues to parse nothing to get nothing. (I'm reminded of another poster on this board who criticized me for picking on grammar; he was right. It really is lame.)

Note: I've taken a lot of grief from this poster, despite the "be nice" philosophy requested by the moderators. I'd even trade "nice" for "relevant." Or even "accurate."

Rich Douglas

 

Actually, according to the Vice-Rector of CEU, neither MIGS nor CEU awards the degree; it is awarded by the state:

Talk about trying to have your cake and eat it, too . . . (See http://www.degree.com/vice_rector.html)

Um, Rich, I believe the semi-colon would be more effective in the latter sentence: ". . . picking on grammar. He was right; it really is lame."

Seriously, Rich, you and I disagree on the subject of MIGS, but I respect people who stand their ground regardless of how wrong they might be. Whining doesn't become you. (Or, to paraphrase Luther, "Sin sucks, but if you must sin, sin boldly.")

 

I, too, noted the statement about the secretary of state awarding the degrees. This is curious, no? It sounds like the school is on the diploma, but the government is the degree-awarding authority. However it works, it remains that MIGS itself does not award degrees.

Rich Douglas

 

That is something that amuse me. On the other hand, you know that I am easily amused In Mexico, the statal or federal authorities are the ultimate granting authority. The certificates, diplomas and other documents usually have something along the lines of the statal of federal secretary granting the degree because completion of a program of study at a particular institution. The only exception I know for this is when the Institution itself is an "autonomous" entity, like the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM) or the Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana (UAM). Since CEU is an autonomous entity by presidential decree, I would suppose that the degree is granted by CEU, although this is not what CEU says.

Regards,
Aaron

 

Originally posted by Rich Douglas:
There's nothing in there that says MIGS awards the degrees.

So the other three schools listed with MIGS in the "Institution Examples" all have another school or government agency award their degrees for them?

As usual, this poster has too much time on his/her hands,

Hey, good job of sticking to the issues instead of going to personal attacks, Richie.

(I'm reminded of another poster on this board who criticized me for picking on grammar; he was right. It really is lame.)

Show me a respectable school's website with the grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors that abound on the MIGS site, Rich, please. (Betcha a dollar ya can't do it!)

Note: I've taken a lot of grief from this poster, despite the "be nice" philosophy requested by the moderators.

Yeah, and pots call kettles black.

I'd even trade "nice" for "relevant." Or even "accurate."

Okay, you got it: Rich Douglas is making a career of shilling for a mill (MIGS) on this forum and others, so be very careful about what he has to say.

 

Would point out exactly which errors in grammar and/or punctuation you've noticed? Please, item by item, if you would.

Considering I've never recommended a MIGS program to anyone, "shill" is simply inaccurate. Give me just one example where I have said anything even resembling an recommendation to pursue a degree through MIGS.

You obviously cannot separate fact from fiction. Nor are you able to discern between the things MIGS has done wrong and the other truths and facts surrounding this issue. And you simply don't know what you're talking about.

Yes, everyone should be careful about what I say. That goes for whatever is said on this or any other board. At least they know who I am and where I'm coming from, which is a lot more than they can say about you. Dart12? Maybe!

 

Originally posted by Rich Douglas:
Would point out exactly which errors in grammar and/or punctuation you've noticed? Please, item by item, if you would.

"When selecting an institution of higher learning for your doctoral studies, you should understand the program's structure, methods, expectations of the student, and what you should expect from the institution."

Huh? What the hell kind of sentence is this? Besides not needing a comma after "studies", the whole thing breaks down after "methods".

"They are coursework- , competency- and research-based models. Because the Monterrey Institute for Graduate Studies attracts learners from around the globe, we offer this comparison of the three systems as a guide in selecting the best system for you, and so you may compare our Competency-based model with other systems you might be familiar with."

Back and forth between uncapitalized "competency-based" and capitalized "Competency-based". Also, it should read "other systems with which you might be familiar."

"followed by a comprehensive examination and completion a dissertation."

Are you so freaking blind that I have to point this one out to you, Richie?

"This model is ususally found in distance programs"

Is that how that word is "ususally" spelled?

There are other little ticky-tacky errors just in this text, and this same level of ineptitude pervades the entire MIGS site.

And you simply don't know what you're talking about.

Frankly, I believe I have just shown that indeed I do know what I'm talking about, as if that was necessary.

Yes, everyone should be careful about what I say. That goes for whatever is said on this or any other board. At least they know who I am and where I'm coming from, which is a lot more than they can say about you.

Trust me, Rich, when I say that I have no idea who you are or where you're coming from. And I have already stated previously that many people reading this forum DO know who I am. You really should listen to Steve and stop whining like a baby.

 

Originally posted by Rich Douglas:
Considering I've never recommended a MIGS program to anyone, "shill" is simply inaccurate. Give me just one example where I have said anything even resembling an recommendation to pursue a degree through MIGS

Rich, you are just unbelievable. No one would even know about MIGS if it wasn't for you. You used to sign your posts as a doctoral candidate of MIGS. Is that not parading and ballyhooing the MIGS name for promotional purposes?

Also, who do we get our MIGS info from? You, Rich Douglas. The newest info is, contrary to your previous posts, MIGS will not be awarding your doctoral degree. And I have a sneaking suspicion as to why...

Steve has been sued for calling MIGS a "degree mill". Since MIGS has yet to award a degree, the switch to MIGS never awarding a degree means that (in some foolish young Texas lawyer's mind) it could not be called a "degree mill", and he still has a shot at winning his precious little lawsuit!